By Aisha Sardauna
“A son does not inherit his father’s name alone; he inherits his footsteps.” — African Proverb
No doubt the African proverb above has some truism to it, the subject of this article is working in his father’s footsteps as rallying point for leadership and community building. Seyi Tinubu ST as he is popularly called marks another year, the conversations around him often naturally circles back to his last name the son of Nigeria’s President. Yet beyond the weight of that lineage lies a man who has quietly built a record of accomplishment in youth empowerment, philanthropy, and social investment. His work through the Noella Foundation and personal outreach efforts paints a picture of someone striving to redefine what influence can mean for a new generation of Nigerians.
Seyi Tinubu is best known as the co-founder and CEO of Loatsad Promomedia, one of Nigeria’s leading outdoor advertising and digital media firms. That entrepreneurial background reflects a practical mindset: growth, visibility, and results. But Seyi’s ambitions extend beyond business. Over the years, he has become a symbol of youth inclusion in governance opening channels that bring young Nigerians closer to policy conversations and government participation.
“I see myself as a bridge,” he once said in an interview. “My generation has ideas and energy, and the older generation has experience and influence. The challenge is connecting both for national progress.”
Through the Noella Foundation, Seyi Tinubu has translated words into action. The foundation’s focus is on creating sustainable youth opportunities skill acquisition, education support, and employability training. It has announced initiatives aimed at generating up to 10,000 new jobs by partnering with both private and public organizations.
In recent years, the foundation has provided educational support for students, relief materials for communities affected by floods in Borno and Maiduguri, and digital literacy programs for schools. These interventions are not just one-off donations but part of an evolving commitment to help young Nigerians thrive in a rapidly changing economy. During one of the foundation’s outreach programs, a student beneficiary remarked, “When people like Seyi Tinubu show up, it gives us hope that someone up there still remembers the rest of us.”
What stands out about Seyi’s approach is not only the financial resources he channels but the access he creates. Several young professionals within an outside government have credited him with helping open doors to appointments, mentorship, and visibility. His informal networks have allowed many youths to take part in conversations once closed to them.
“Seyi’s influence is not loud, but it is felt “He’s one of the few who use privilege to create pathways for others instead of fences.”
Of course, philanthropy by a public figure invites skepticism especially in a politically charged society. Critics question whether such gestures are purely altruistic or politically strategic. But impact is often measured not by motive, but by results. And in Seyi Tinubu’s case, the growing number of youth-focused initiatives, job-creation programs, and mentorship projects point to tangible outcomes that extend beyond politics.
For Nigeria’s young people often sidelined, underemployed, and disillusioned these gestures carry symbolic weight. They show that influence can be used not only for personal gain but to build ladders for others to climb. As he celebrates another year, Seyi Tinubu’s story is still being written. The real test will be sustainability whether his foundation can evolve from personal philanthropy into a lasting institution with measurable results. Yet what is undeniable is that he has inspired conversation around youth empowerment and civic responsibility.
If Nigeria’s future lies in its young people, then figures like Seyi Tinubu remind us that the next generation does not just need opportunities, it needs bridges.
Aisha sardauna is a communications specialist and public affairs analyst based in from Abuja. She can be reached at Sardaunaaisha@gmail.com